Insurance Curator 
Losing a partner is devastating, and the last thing you want is a bureaucratic maze. This guide walks you through every step of claiming bereavement benefits across the UK. Understanding what you’re entitled to can ease financial pressure during an impossible time.
If your partner had a life insurance policy, that payout may affect your eligibility for means-tested support. For a deeper look at how these interact, read our guide on How Life Insurance Payouts Affect Your Eligibility for UK Bereavement and Means-tested Benefits?.
What Bereavement Benefits Are Available?
The UK government offers three main bereavement benefits. Eligibility depends on your partner’s National Insurance contributions, your age, and whether you have dependent children.
| Benefit | Who Can Claim | Payment |
|---|---|---|
| Bereavement Support Payment (BSP) | Partner died on or after 6 April 2017; under State Pension age or partner under State Pension age | Lump sum + monthly payments |
| Widowed Parent’s Allowance (WPA) | Partner died before 6 April 2017; you have a dependent child | Weekly payments |
| Funeral Expenses Payment | You receive certain benefits and need help with funeral costs | Lump sum (not a loan) |
In Northern Ireland, the rules are similar but administered separately. For full details on BSP, visit A Plain-english Guide to Bereavement Support Payment in the Uk: Who Qualifies and How to Claim.
Step 1: Gather Important Documents
Before you apply, collect these records:
- Your partner’s National Insurance number
- Their death certificate (or medical certificate of cause of death)
- Your marriage or civil partnership certificate
- Your own National Insurance number
- Bank account details for payment
If your partner had a workplace death-in-service scheme or life insurance, also get the policy documents. Coordinating these with state support can maximise your safety net. See Coordinating Life Insurance, Workplace Death-in-service and State Support: Building a Complete Safety Net.
Pro Tip: The book Money. Wealth. Life Insurance.: How the Wealthy Use Life Insurance as a Tax-Free Personal Bank to Supercharge Their Savings explains how life insurance can provide tax-free income – helpful when planning your finances after a partner’s death.
Step 2: Check Eligibility – Bereavement Support Payment (BSP)
BSP is the main benefit for deaths after 6 April 2017. You qualify if:
- You were under State Pension age when your partner died
- Your partner paid enough National Insurance contributions (or died as a result of their job)
- You were married, in a civil partnership, or living together (if you had a child together)
The payment includes:
- A lump sum of £2,500 (or £3,500 if you have a child)
- Up to 18 monthly payments of £100 (or £350 with a child)
These figures apply to England, Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland. For Wales specifically, local council grants may also help with funeral costs. Learn more in Local Council and Charity Grants for Funerals and Emergency Costs Across Uk Cities.
Step 3: Apply Online or by Phone
You can claim BSP online through GOV.UK. The process takes about 20 minutes. Have your documents ready.
For Northern Ireland: Apply via nidirect.gov.uk – the system mirrors Great Britain but uses a separate portal.
By phone: Call the Bereavement Service helpline (0800 151 2012). Lines are open Monday to Friday, 8am to 6pm.
After submission, you’ll receive a letter confirming your payment schedule. Most claims are processed within 4–6 weeks.
Step 4: Understand How Life Insurance Affects Your Claim
One common worry is whether a life insurance payout reduces state bereavement benefits.
- Bereavement Support Payment is NOT means-tested. Life insurance payouts won’t affect it.
- Funeral Expenses Payment IS means-tested. Money from a life insurance policy may reduce what you get.
- Universal Credit and other means-tested benefits are affected by capital over £6,000 (or £16,000 in some cases).
For detailed guidance, read What Financial Help Is Available for Bereaved Families on Universal Credit or Other Uk Benefits?.
If you want to understand how cash value life insurance can act as a retirement vehicle while protecting your family, The Hidden Secret to Wealth with Cash Value Life Insurance is a clear, practical read.
Step 5: Claim Funeral Expenses Payment
If you’re on a low income and need help paying for the funeral, you may qualify for a Funeral Expenses Payment. This covers:
- Burial or cremation fees
- A coffin and transport
- Up to £700 for other costs (e.g., flowers, church fees)
You must be getting Universal Credit, Pension Credit, or other qualifying benefits. Apply within 3 months of the funeral.
In Scotland, the Funeral Support Payment replaces the UK-wide scheme. Rules differ slightly. Likewise, Northern Ireland has its own Funeral Payment.
For a full breakdown, see Funeral Expenses Payment: What It Covers, Who Can Apply and How Much You Might Get.
Step 6: Claim Widowed Parent’s Allowance (If Your Partner Died Before 2017)
If your partner passed away before 6 April 2017 and you have a child under 18 (or 20 if in full-time education), you may be entitled to Widowed Parent’s Allowance. This pays a weekly amount based on your partner’s NI record.
You cannot claim WPA if you remarry or form a new civil partnership before the age of 45. But you can switch to Bereavement Allowance if you’re over 45.
Visit Widowed Parent’s Allowance Explained: Help for Bereaved Parents of School-age Children for full details.
Step 7: Check for Additional Support
Beyond state benefits, explore these options:
- Workplace death-in-service benefits – check with your partner’s employer
- Charity grants – organisations like Cruse Bereavement Care and Turn2us offer financial help
- Local council schemes – some councils provide emergency cost assistance
If you’re an expat or foreign national living in the UK, the rules differ. Read Bereavement Benefits for Expats and Foreign Nationals Living in the Uk: What You Can and Can’t Claim.
Step 8: Contact the Bereavement Service for Help
If you’re unsure about any step, the government’s Bereavement Service can guide you through your options. They can also check if your partner had a State Pension or other benefits you can inherit.
Phone: 0800 151 2012
Textphone: 0800 731 0176
Welsh language line: 0800 731 0453
For support after a miscarriage, stillbirth, or the death of a child, our guide Support for Bereaved Parents after Miscarriage, Stillbirth or the Death of a Child: Beyond Financial Help offers emotional and practical resources.
Final Thoughts: Building a Complete Safety Net
Applying for bereavement benefits is a step-by-step process, but you don’t have to do it alone. Start with the Bereavement Support Payment if your partner died after April 2017. Then check if you qualify for Funeral Expenses Payment or other support.
A life insurance policy can provide extra financial security. If you’re new to life insurance, Life Insurance Made Simple: A Clear and Practical Guide for Every Stage of Life (rated 4.8 stars) is an excellent resource for building your knowledge.
Remember: bereavement benefits are there to help you through a difficult transition. Claim what you’re entitled to – it’s not a handout, it’s a safety net you and your partner paid into.